Evidence of a trail of wreckage from Pope Francis’ ‘Who am I to judge?’

June 23, 2016 (LifeSiteNews) – During an impromptu, July 29, 2013 press conference on his flight back from Brazil, Pope Francis uttered his famous statement, “Who am I judge.” Since then, there has been continuing, frequent, worldwide use of that phrase to advance ‘gay’ rights, affirm behaviors violating Judeo/Christian moral teachings and persecute faithful Christians.

This article lists just 41, of what are likely thousands more, specific instances of the alarming damage that the still-not-properly-clarified “Who am I to judge” statement has facilitated in the real world.

* If you are aware of additional instances not in this list, please email details to steve at lifesitenews.com and I will add them to the list.*

John Allen, then of the National Catholic Reporter, the leading liberal, dissident Catholic paper in the United States, wrote that that Francis gave a “whopper” of an interview on the plane that day.

The moment they heard it, pro-life, pro-family and other leaders realized that the phrase, no matter the context and good intentions of Pope Francis, and given that he did not mention any of the grave dangers of active homosexuality, would be widely exploited by the Church’s enemies, both inside and outside the Church.

Certainly, from my over 35-years of experience in the culture wars, there was not the slightest doubt that there would be major negative fallout from the manner in which Francis made the statement, and how he minimized the gravity of the past homosexual behaviour of Monsignor Battista Ricca. The words “who am I to judge” were stated in Pope Francis’ response to a question about Ricca, who had been credibly accused of homosexual acts when he represented the Holy See in Uruguay from 1999 to 2001. Francis had nevertheless recently appointed Ricca to an important position in the Vatican.

The first article in the list below, published the day after the statements were made, reports some of the notable headlines and the interpretations put on the Pope’s comments that were published following the press conference.

This was exactly what I expected would happen. Numerous other headlines of a similar nature were published all around the world. The news media instantly understood the significance of what they had been given, intentionally or not, by Pope Francis.

The July 29 USA TODAY article wrote that “Pope Francis said Monday that he won’t ‘judge’ gay priests, which Vatican analysts say may be the opening for a more conciliatory attitude toward gay members of the church.”

Homosexual groups were ecstatic about Francis’ remarks. In the USA Today report, “Alessandro Di Antonio, an officer with the National Union of Gay Italians in Rome” was said to have “welcomed” Francis’ remarks. “It is such a great relief to hear a pope of all people talk about gay issues in a non-judgmental way like this.” He was clearly assuming the Church was now becoming “gay positive,” which of course it could never do without contradicting God Himself.

These were typical of what media all around the world reported in response to this extraordinary comment from a Pope, a comment that was left open enough for them to suggest that the Church was changing its teaching on homosexuality, while at the same time the remark in its full context could be said to have affirmed the Church’s teachings.

However, the Ricci appointment was highly problematic in light of Pope John Paul II and Benedict’s strong pronouncements on the unsuitability of homosexuals for the priesthood, let alone their being appointed to significant posts in the Vatican.

The Holy Father’s statement was also puzzling given that Catholics have always understood that a pope, more than anyone else in the Catholic Church, has the authority to make judgements on difficult moral issues. While even a pope cannot judge the state of a person’s soul, he is nevertheless often required to “judge” difficult issues for the good of the Church and to prevent error and scandal.

As you can see from the items below, references to “Who am I to judge” as a justification for promoting anti-Catholic causes have continued from 2013 to today and have left a trail of wreckage damaging the Catholic faith and misguiding souls.

This phrase will likely continue to be used, indefinitely, to justify what can never be justified. It will only end when Francis or a subsequent pope makes a strong pronouncement clarifying the Church’s true teachings. In addition, there must be publicly expressed regret for the carelessness of the original response and the serious failure to adamantly and quickly correct the resulting widespread misrepresentation of Church teachings.

This was only the first of now many similar disorienting pronouncements by Pope Francis that are also being frequently quoted by enemies of authentic Christianity or Church dissidents to justify beliefs, behaviors and laws that have always been condemned by the Church.

These off-the-cuff papal statements have been adding more fuel to the fire of the great confusion in the Church that is endangering the faith and even the freedom of millions.

Examples of exploitation of “Who am I to judge” to justify the unjustifiable. Read and weep:

1) What Pope Francis could not mean regarding gay priests and what he actually said – LifeSiteNews (July 29, 2013)

In a Toronto Star editorial, former Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird’s lobbying of Russia to drop their law prohibiting the propagation of homosexuality was said to have been in a similar spirit as Pope Francis’ query.

The Chicago Tribune cited Pope Francis’s comments on homosexuality as one of the reasons why the Illinois legislature passed a same-sex “marriage” bill. House Speaker Michael Madigan asked “For those that just happen to be gay — living in a very harmonious, productive relationship but illegal — who am I to judge that they should be illegal?”

US homosexualist magazine The Advocate named Pope Francis “person of the year” in 2013, largely due to him asking, “If someone is gay and seeks the Lord with good will, who am I to judge?”

7) January 3, 2014

Pope Repeats that Same-Sex ‘Marriage’ is ‘Anthropological Regression – National Catholic Register
According to Auxiliary Bishop of Malta Charles J. Scicluna, those promoting a bill in Malta that would extend the ability to adopt to homosexuals have quoted Pope Francis’ comment, “If a person is gay and seeks the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?”

8) January 10, 2014

Catholic high school keeps lesbian drama coach about to ‘marry’ after dismissing gay vice-principal – LifeSiteNews
When Mark Zmuda, the vice-principal at Eastside Catholic School in Seattle, resigned after it came out that he was married to another man, which violated his hiring contract, students organized demonstrations in support of him. One of their signs read, “If someone is gay…who am I to judge. Keep Mr. Z.”

9) February 5, 2014

Lesbian Couple Denied Communion At Mother’s Funeral By Catholic Priest; Carol Parker and Josie Martin ‘Shocked – Huffington Post
When speaking to media about being denied communion at Carol Parker’s mother’s funeral because of their same-sex partnership, both Carol Parker and Josie Martin mentioned the Pope’s widely-misused phrase “Who am I to judge?” in their defence.

10) February 27, 2014

Who Am I to Judge?’ Pope Francis T-Shirt Celebrates Diversity and Promotes Archetypes Not Stereotypes – PR Newswire
‘Archetypes’ reveals a t-shirt with the slogan “Who Am I to judge?” and with Pope Francis’ face. It was said to be “especially timely” because it coincided with the news that Ellen Page and Michael Sam are homosexual.

11) March 6, 2014

Kentucky AG claims decision not to defend marriage was ‘shaped partly’ by Pope Francis – LifeSiteNews
Kentucky Attorney General and Catholic Democrat Jack Conway informed Time magazine that his decision not to fight a federal judge’s ruling that Kentucky must recognize out-of-state same-sex “marriages” was “shaped partly by statements from Pope Francis that encouraged openness toward gays,” including “Who am I to judge?”

12) March 21, 2014

Federal judge imposes first same-sex ‘marriage’ in one of Mexico’s most conservative states – LifeSiteNews
Mexican newspaper Milenio cites “Whom am I to judge?” in explanation for a lack of protest against a “marriage” between two lesbians in León, Guanajuanto.

Mexican bishop baptizes child raised by lesbian couple – LifeSiteNews
Mexican bishop Mons. Raul Vera Lopez said about baptizing the daughter of two lesbians: “To receive baptism there is a preparation, and during these talks certain values are made clear. The Pope already said it: Who am I to judge?”

15) June 16, 2014

Archbishop to Pelosi, critics: No, I won’t drop March for Marriage – LifeSiteNews
In two letters asking San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone not to participate in the March for Marriage, including one signed by Nancy Pelosi, Pope Francis’ statement “If someone is gay and is searching for the Lord and has good will, then who am I to judge him?” was quoted.

16) June 25, 2014

‘Who Am I To Judge?’ Goes Viral – The Remnant Newspaper
Friars from St. Anthony’s Shrine in Boston had a booth at the Boston Gay Pride Festival with a banner reading “Who am I to judge?” in rainbow lettering.

17) August 19, 2014

Exclusive: Pope’s friend Cardinal Hummes clarifies Jesus gay ‘marriage’ remarks – LifeSiteNews
When asked by Brazil’s ZH News if a homosexual couple could receive the sacraments or become godfathers, Cardinal Claudio Hummes replied, “The pope has said something very important ‘If a homosexual seeks God, who am I to judge him?’ People must be respected.”

18) October 13, 2014

LGBT activists laud ‘new direction’ of Vatican Synod on the Family – LifeSiteNews
Homosexual activists are hopeful that Catholic doctrine on sexuality could change. Michael Brinkschroeder, co-president of the European Forum of LGBT Christian Groups said “Francis has given signals for bishops to start pastoral work and dialogue,” and mentioned the Pope’s line “Who am I to judge?”

19) October 13, 2014

Vatican signals relaxed stance on gays, birth control, divorce – Toronto Star
Writer Nicole Winfield partially attributes a preliminary report from the Synod on the family, which encourages looking at the “positive” aspects of civil unions and cohabitation and valuing the sexual orientation of gays, to the bishops taking into consideration comments from the Pope, including “Who am I to judge?”

20) October 29, 2014

Homosexual activist Elton John: Pope Francis ‘is my hero’ – LifeSiteNews
Homosexual singer Elton John praised Pope Francis, specifically his comment “Who am I to judge?,” saying, “He did more with those five words than the last five popes. He is my hero.”

21) November 28, 2014

Ottawa Catholic School Board allows grade 6 project on ‘gay rights’ amidst media pressure – LifeSiteNews
Ottawa Catholic School Board Chairman Ted Hurley cites “Whom am I to judge?” to justify allowing two grade six students to do a project on “gay rights.”

22) January 5, 2015

Archdiocese Letter Warns Employees About Supporting Same-Sex Marriage – NBC 6 South Florida
Report asserts that Miami Archbishop Wenski’s letter to Church employees reminding them not to publicly dissent with Catholic teaching in light of the legalization of homosexual “marriage” in Florida is part of a debate within the Church about same-sex couples and that Pope Francis’ comment was “a possible sign that the church’s position could evolve.”

23) January 12, 2015

Illinois bishop who led exorcism over gay ‘marriage’ to offer homily at Phoenix Red Mass, lawmakers boycott – LifeSiteNews
Unhappy that the Phoenix Catholic diocese selected strongly pro-life, pro-family Springfield Bishop Thomas Paprocki as preacher for its annual Red Mass, homosexual Democrat told the East Valley Tribune, which claimed that the Pope “does not have any problem with people being gay” and cited the Pope’s popular quip, he “would follow the pope’s lead instead of the bishop’s lead on this.” Republican representative Kate Brophy McGee expressed similar sentiments.

24) March 23, 2015

Who am I to judge? – LifeSiteNews
Cardinal Dolan said “I would have no sense of judgment on him” when asked about football player Michael Sam coming out as a homosexual.

25) April 1, 2015

Hundreds march to protest San Francisco archbishop’s plan to uphold Catholic identity in schools – LifeSiteNews
Among the slogans on the signs at a protest against San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone for attempting to preserve Catholic principles in local archdiocesan high schools was “Who am I to judge?”

26) April 16, 2015

Wealthy San Francisco donors petition Pope Francis to replace Archbishop Cordileone – LifeSiteNews
In a full-page ad in the San Francisco Chronicle, a group of Catholics ask for Pope Francis to oust local Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone. Part of the ad declares: “Instead of your famous words ‘Who Am I to Judge,’ Archbishop Cordileone repeatedly labels the behavior of our fellow brothers and sisters (and their children) as ‘gravely evil’…”

27) April 23, 2015

France’s Gay Ambassador-Nominee Poses Special Challenges for ‘Who am I to judge’ Pope Francis – The Washington Post
Reporter Michelle Boorstein perceives that Pope Francis faces a potential conflict with the nomination of a French gay man as ambassador to the Holy See given the Pope’s pondering “Who am I to judge?”

28) June 9, 2015

Ontario New Democrat invokes Pope Francis at protest pushing sex-ed – but aide can’t explain why – LifeSiteNews
When the communications assistant for social radical NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo (Parkdale-High Park) was asked why DiNovo invoked Pope Francis’ name at a sex-ed rally, she said: “Pope Francis has said on a few occasions that who is he to judge…”

29) June 22, 2015

Dear Pope Francis, What Happened to ‘Who Am I to Judge?’ – The Christian Review
Publisher and editor at The Christian Review, Deal Hudson, considers it hypocritical of the Pope to condemn any involvement in the manufacturing of weapons and to ask why the Allies didn’t bomb railway lines when he has also asked, “Who am I to judge?”

30) July 14, 2015

Santorum: Pope’s ‘Who Am I To Judge?’ Means ‘Love the Sinner and Condemn the Sin’ – The New Civil Rights Movement
CNN’s Chris Cuomo, unhappy that Rick Santorum wants a constitutional amendment to keep marriage between a man and a woman, asked him, “Why aren’t you more like your pope?” Santorum informed Cuomo that the pope doesn’t support a change in the definition of marriage. His explanation that the pope’s line referred to respecting the dignity of all human life and loving the sinner while hating the sin was mocked by writer David Badash.

31) July 28, 2015

The Pope Francis Statement That Changed the Church on LGBT Issues – Time
Executive director at Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good Christopher Hale considers the Pope’s candid interview indicative that the Church is “evolving” on LGBT issues and that his position is in contrast to Pope Benedict XVI’s view that gay marriage is a threat to world peace.

32) August 27, 2015

German Bishops’ Conference website promotes homosexual unions as sacrament – LifeSiteNews
In his book, Who Am I to Judge? Homosexuality and the Catholic Church, German moral theologian Stephan Goertz calls for an end to the condemnation of homosexual acts.

33) September 2, 2015

Oregon Catholic school changes policy to allow teacher in gay ‘marriage’ – LifeSiteNews
Prior to adding sexual orientation to its equal employment policy, St. Mary’s Academy in Portland rescinded a job offer to a lesbian planning to marry her same-sex partner, prompting a group of students and alumni to make gay pride t-shirts with the phrase “Who am I to judge?” spray-painted on them in protest.

34) September 22, 2015

‘Ultra conservative’ California archbishop sees similarities with pope” – The Guardian
Reporter Anita Chabria calls San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone’s statement that Catholic teachers “not visibly contradict our values” and that an organization may be selective about who to include in furthering its mission “a long way from ‘who am I to judge?’”

35) October 6, 2015

LGBT group at New York City Catholic parish participates in, promotes gay ‘Pride’ – LifeSiteNews
“Out at St Paul,” an LGBT group operating out of Church of St. Paul the Apostle in New York City and promoting practices contrary to Church teaching like gay pride events, made a Facebook post saying that the Pope’s remarks “have been seen as an encouraging change of tone from the papacy…”

36) October 30, 2015

The synod answers: ‘Who am I to judge?’ – National Catholic Reporter
Douglas W. Kmiec of the National Catholic Reporter writes that the bishops of the synod on the family, by not taking a more liberal approach to divorced and civilly remarried Catholics or same-sex couples, have taken it upon themselves to act as judges.

37) December 18, 2015

Detroit parish priest calls gay unions ‘sacred and sacramental’ – LifeSiteNews
Father Ronald Victor of the Archdiocese of Detroit attended his nephew’s “wedding” to another man and expressed disappointment and anger that he couldn’t have officiated it. He also said that while he is not aware of all the sins of those receiving Communion, “As long as they’re seeking God, who am I to judge?”

38) December 19, 2015

Pope Takes Sides Ahead Of Tomorrow’s Marriage Equality Referendum In Slovenia – The New Civil Rights Movement
Writer Jean Ann Esselink identifies the Pope’s request that Slovenians vote to reject same-sex “marriage” as an act of judgment, and interprets it as a betrayal of the hope he inspired with his earlier comment “Who am I to judge?”

39) January 28, 2016

Eucharistic Congress speaker claims Catholics too focused on what homosexuals are ‘doing in bed’ – LifeSiteNews
A Dominican priest and recent Vatican appointee Father Timothy Radcliffe, who reportedly said that homosexual activity can “be expressive of Christ’s self gift,” urged Catholics to “be open to gay people” and less focused on what homosexuals are “doing in bed.” He said: “I must be a help. I must not be a hindrance. Everybody’s on their journey, and Pope Francis said, ‘Who am I to judge?’”

40) May 27, 2016

Quebec Catholic parish invites cohabitating and same-sex couples to renew ‘conjugal commitment’ – LifeSiteNews
Sainte-Anne’s Parish in Quebec, prompted by the Pope’s infamous line, replaced their annual “Feast of Fidelity” for married couples with a new “Feast of Love,” which was extended to include same-sex and cohabitating couples.

41) June 1, 2016

Spanish cardinal doubles down on rebuke of ‘gay empire’ amid attacks – LifeSiteNews
Cardinal Antonio Cañizares, archbishop of Valencia was criticized for his sermon cautioning parishioners about present day attacks on the family. The governor of Valencia, Ximo Puig, quoted Pope Francis’s question, “Who am I to judge?,”when expressing his disapproval with the sermon.